Sheriff's deputy killed while investigating a vehicle in a ditch with a possibly impaired driver

A sheriff's deputy who was shot and killed while investigating a vehicle in a ditch has been identified, WCCO reported.

Deputy Kaitie Leising, 29, of the St. Croix County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin, was investigating a vehicle in a ditch with a possible impaired driver when she was killed in an exchange of gunfire Saturday, according to a statement from sheriff's office.

"Our love and condolences go out to the family of Kaitie Leising and all those with whom she served," Sheriff Scott Knudsen wrote, in part.

"We will miss her infectious smile and personality. She will be missed by all she touched."

The incident took place in the Township of Glenwood around 6:15 p.m. when Leising was dispatched to a drunk driving incident, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported. Glenwood is about 56 miles east of Minnesota's Twin Cities.

The driver, 34-year-old Jeremiah D. Johnson, repeatedly evaded Leising's attempts to administer a sobriety test. Johnson shot the officer once and fled. Leising shot back three times, but missed her target, the outlet also reported.

People at the scene attempted to help Leising, WBAY reported. She was transported to the hospital, where she died from her injuries.

About an hour after Leising was shot, officers searching the woods near the scene "saw Johson, heard a gunshot, and saw him fall down," the outlet also reported.

The involved individual was found deceased in a wooded area with a gunshot wound, the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation said in a statement. The agency did not specifically name Johnson as that individual.

Condolences from law enforcement agencies and individuals rapidly poured in after the sad news broke.

The Wisconsin DOJ's DCI is leading the investigation. They will be assisted by the Wisconsin State Patrol, Wisconsin State Crime Lab, and a DCI Crime Response Specialist. The results of their investigation, once concluded, will be turned over to the St. Croix County District Attorney.

Deputy Leising served with SCCSO since 2022. Before that, she served for two years with Pennington County Sheriff's Office in South Dakota, SCCSO reported.

WCCO's Nick Streiff shared video of officers saluting and people filling overpasses on Interstate 94 as Deputy Leising's body was returned to Wisconsin.

Watch additional WCCO coverage of Deputy Kaitie Leising's death in the line of duty below.

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